I. Magnetic, thermal and transport properties of YbCu$_{5-x}$Zn$_x$ alloys

TL;DR

This study investigates the structural, magnetic, thermal, and transport properties of YbCu$_{5-x}$Zn$_x$ alloys, revealing a shift from Yb$^{3+}$ to Yb$^{2+}$ configuration and signs of proximity to a quantum critical point.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how Zn substitution influences Yb valence states and quantum critical behavior in YbCu$_{5-x}$Zn$_x$ alloys.

Findings

Yb ions shift towards Yb$^{2+}$ with increasing Zn content.

Logarithmic specific heat indicates non-Fermi-liquid behavior.

Alloy properties suggest proximity to a quantum critical point.

Abstract

Within the family of cubic YbCu$_4$X compounds ($X$ = Ni, Au and Zn), we have investigated the YbCu$_{5-x}$Zn$_x$ ($1\geq x \geq 0.7$) alloys by means of structural, magnetic, thermal and transport measurements. In the $\tau 1-$ YbCu$_{5-x}$Zn$_x$ (cubic AuBe$_5$ type, $0.7 \leq x \leq 1.5$) structural phase, Yb ion is in its Yb$^{3+}$ magnetic configuration. However, by increasing Zn content the unit cell grows faster than a reference computed as a Cu by Zn atoms substitution, which indicates a shift of Yb ions towards the larger Yb$^{2+}$ configuration. The magnetic behavior confirms such tendency with a clear decrease of the saturation magnetization and effective moment between $x=0.7$ and $x=1$. The specific heat at low temperature shows a logarithmic dependence characteristic for a non-fermi-liquid behavior. The characteristic energies of all studied parameters, including magneto resistivity, show notably low values as an indication that these alloys are close to a quantum critical point, which is approached from the non-magnetic side as the Zn content decreases.